Army Faces Backlash Over Alleged Incident at Arlington as Trump, Gold Star Families Respond

The U.S. Army has come under fire after an alleged incident at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) during former President Donald Trump's visit to honor the 13 American soldiers who lost their lives in the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. Trump, accompanied by his team, joined Gold Star families in Section 60, the resting place for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, to pay respects on the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing.

According to reports, a cemetery worker tried to "physically block" Trump’s photographer and videographer from following him into Section 60, despite prior arrangements that allowed Trump’s media team to accompany him. The worker was reportedly brushed aside, and the altercation was later reported to the police, though no charges were filed.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung suggested that the worker was “clearly suffering from a mental health episode.” Chris LaCivita, Trump’s campaign co-manager and a Purple Heart recipient, went further, calling the worker “a disgrace” to Arlington's sacred grounds.

In an unusual move, the U.S. Army issued a statement defending the cemetery worker, stating that ANC “conducts nearly 3,000 such public ceremonies a year without incident” and emphasized that political activities are prohibited on cemetery grounds. The Army claimed the worker "acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption" and lamented that the employee’s professionalism had been "unfairly attacked."

However, Trump’s team countered with documentation showing that they had been explicitly permitted to bring a photographer and videographer. The ANC's own media guidelines for the event confirmed that "Only former President Trump may have an official photographer and/or videographer outside of the main media pool," contradicting the Army’s defense.

Adding to the controversy, it was revealed that President Joe Biden, while serving as vice president, had his media team with him during a 2010 visit to Section 60, footage of which was later used in his 2020 campaign. This inconsistency further fueled criticism of the Army’s handling of the situation.

Gold Star families who attended the event expressed their deep gratitude to Trump for his presence and respect. In a statement, they affirmed that Trump’s team had their full approval to document the event. "We are deeply grateful to the president for taking the time to honor our children and for standing alongside us in our grief, offering his unwavering support during such a difficult time," the families said.

Meanwhile, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who were responsible for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, were notably absent from the ceremony. Biden opted for a vacation in Delaware, while Harris also chose not to attend, further highlighting the administration’s detachment from the somber occasion.

The incident and its aftermath have only intensified the scrutiny on the Biden administration's handling of military affairs and its relationship with Gold Star families. As the 2024 election approaches, these moments of perceived disrespect may have lasting implications on voters' trust in the current leadership.

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